Lymphatic drainage massage of legs, thighs, abdomen with lymphedema, varicose veins, edema, varicose veins, pregnancy. Technique how to do it yourself

Lymphatic drainage massage is a procedure that helps to solve problems such as varicose veins, swelling or heaviness in the legs. The procedure can be performed manually (at home) or by hardware.

Features of the procedure

Lymphatic drainage, as a technique of effective therapeutic effects on the lymphatic system of the human body, originated in the last century in France. As initially, the main effect of the procedure is the restoration of the natural movement of lymph in all extremities and vital systems of the body.

Lymph is a constituent element of the blood that helps to remove toxins and other substances that inhibit the normal functioning of the body, nourishes cells and protects them from infectious lesions. Violation of this work in the limbs of a person can provoke the development of varicose veins, swelling, heaviness in the legs.

The massage in question helps to solve these problems. It has a positive effect on the lymph nodes, blood vessels and capillaries, relieves congestion, and generally contributes to the health of the limbs.

Indications for lymphatic drainage exposure

Lymphatic drainage massage of the legs at home is carried out in the presence of the following indications:

• varicose veins;
• swelling;
• metabolic dysfunction;
• violation of lymph circulation;
• excess weight / body shaping;
• cellulite;
• loss of elasticity of the skin in the thigh area;
• sedentary lifestyle.

Contraindications

According to doctors, the procedure cannot be carried out in the following cases:

• the presence of open wounds, fresh scars at the site of exposure;
• venous thrombosis;
• oncology;
• diabetes;
• general malaise, the presence of fever.

How to properly carry out lymphatic drainage massage

The massage procedure will be more effective if you consider the following points:

1. Lack of painful sensations - massage should be a joy, the presence of pain indicates a violation of the technique or the presence of hidden problems.
2. Using oils or creams - cosmetics will make the skin more pliable, in addition, the epidermis will receive additional nutrition and moisture. Natural ingredients are also acceptable: honey, ground coffee, decoctions of medicinal plants.
3. Bath before massage - relaxing, with the addition of ethers, the procedure prepares and warms up the skin.
4. Drinking liquids - 2-3 liters of water a day is the key to a successful massage. Please note that it is not recommended to drink water within 2 hours after the session.
5. Sports activities - physical activity will enhance the effect of massage, tighten the skin, make it more elastic, and in general will help to correct weight and body.

Manual lymphatic drainage

The manual technique of lymphatic drainage massage is of three types in terms of penetration power:

1. Surface - affects the capillaries responsible for collecting fluid.Suitable for solving cosmetic problems, tightens the skin, makes them smoother. The technique involves light circular stroking of the legs, starting from the feet and gradually rising to the thighs, with slight pressure on the muscle tissue.
2. Deep - affects the lymphatic vessels, which are responsible for the removal of excess fluid. It is used to treat various diseases of the extremities, promotes weight loss and body shaping. The technique involves a more intense effect on problem areas, stimulating the deep layers of muscle tissue.
3. Interior - affects the lymph nodes. Allows you to restore their working capacity, ensuring the healing of the body as a whole.

For a home session, the first type of massage is best suited, it is the safest, does not require special knowledge of human anatomy. Deep and inner - it is better to entrust specialists.

With lymphostasis

Lymphatic drainage massage of the legs at home allows for supportive therapy of lymphostasis, a disease associated with the occurrence of constant tissue edema, provoked by dysfunction of the outflow of tissue fluid.

Most often, this ailment affects the lower extremities, however, massage is recommended in the upper zone.so that the disease does not progress. The session begins with a superficial stroking of the legs from the feet to the thighs along the movement of the lymph flow with a slight pressure on the skin. This allows the limbs to be prepared for a more intense procedure and increases blood flow.

Further, massaging the skin becomes more rhythmic, but at the same time gentle and light. Pressing should not cause discomfort or pain. The duration of one session is 40-60 minutes. The duration of therapy is 10 times every other day.

After the procedure, it is recommended to use special compression garments, which will enhance the effectiveness of the massage.

Result: there is an activation of lymph flow, increased metabolism, which helps to reduce puffiness, as well as an increase in the general level of immunity.

With varicose veins

Varicose veins are a disease of the legs, characterized by swelling, pain in the extremities, and the appearance of a vascular network.

There are three stages of this disease:

• the first - the appearance of slight swelling, heaviness in the legs after a hard day, pain in the lower leg;
• second - increased pain and swelling, the appearance of a vascular mesh, especially clearly visible under the knees, where the skin is the thinnest;
• third - large veins begin to protrude outward, bumps, knots appear, legs swell and constantly hurt.

Lymphatic drainage is allowed in the first and second stages. It is possible to carry out the procedure on your own if there are initial signs of varicose veins, other cases require specialist supervision.

The session begins with the application of a special venotonic cream on the skin, which will provide not only easy gliding, but also have a therapeutic effect: it will strengthen the walls of the veins, improve blood circulation, and relieve puffiness.

Execution technique:

1. Light stroking movements in the direction of the lymphatic flow (from bottom to top), warming up the skin, increasing blood circulation.
2. Kneading the tissues with a gradual increase in the load on the muscles. The movements are smooth, sharpness can provoke vasospasm.
3. Light lapping movements, relaxing and finishing the massage.

Therapy course: duration 30 minutes for 2 weeks. Then you need to take a break for 4 weeks, after which you can repeat the procedure.

Decongestant massage

Lymphatic drainage massage helps to relieve puffiness, fatigue in the legs after a hard day at work, and you can do it yourself at home.

Before the session, it is recommended to take a relaxing bath, which will prepare the limbs for further actions. An infusion of birch leaves, mint, chamomile is added to warm water (100 g of plant mixture per 1 liter of liquid). The duration of the procedure is 15–20 minutes. Then the feet are well wiped and lubricated with a massage cosmetic.

At the first stage, each toe is massaged, not ignoring the hollows between them. The second stage rises to the ankles and calf muscles, ends with massaging the knees and thighs.

The movements are all smooth, light, with slight pressure on the tissue, accompanied by patting and tapping. If redness appears during the massage, then the force of influence must be weakened.

Note that the lower leg is worked out by squeezing and unclenching the muscle tissue, combining these movements with kneading the Achilles tendon. While working on the knee joint, you cannot massage the popliteal zone. The session ends with light stroking of the extremities for 2 minutes.

Therapy course: the duration of the procedure is no more than 30 minutes during 10 days every month. This massage is a good prevention of the development of various diseases of the legs.

Lymphatic drainage massage with the addition of oil and honey

Lymphatic drainage massage with honey will help improve blood circulation, smooth and tighten the skin. The natural ingredient nourishes the epidermis with useful substances and, at the same time, removes toxins and harmful elements.

For massage, you need to take fresh honey of any kind and mix it with your favorite aromatic oil at the rate of 1 tsp. sweet ingredient + 5 drops. oils.

Please note that the mixture is prepared just before the session.

The honey-buttered mixture is applied to problem areas with light patting movements. Then the movements become more intense: the palms are pressed tightly against the skin and are abruptly torn off. The massage is continued until a whitish plaque appears on the hands, in a temporary equivalent it takes from 5 to 10 minutes.

After the procedure, the remnants of the honey-oil mixture are washed off with warm water, the skin is lubricated with a suitable cosmetic product. The number of sessions is 15 within 30 days.

Hardware lymphatic drainage

Lymphatic drainage massage of the legs at home is not always effective, especially in cases of progression of any disease of the lower extremities.

Then experts recommend using the hardware method, which is of three types:

• microscopic currents;
• compressed air therapy;
• vacuum.

Hardware lymphatic drainage shrinks the walls of blood vessels, and does not simply squeeze them, therefore, the process of restoring lymph movement is accelerated, restoring the legs to their former health.

Indications: cellulite, swelling of the lower extremities, the initial stage of varicose veins, enlarged lymph nodes, overweight.

Contraindications: the presence of skin diseases, oncology, a tendency to thrombosis, while waiting for a child or lactation.

Microcurrents

Hardware microcurrent lymphatic drainage refers to superficial procedures. Light electrical impulses affect the lymphatic vessels, compressing them evenly, which has a beneficial effect on the movement of lymph.

Also, the procedure makes the muscles contract, which helps to tighten the skin and restore their tone. In addition, microcurrents affect the nervous and other systems of the body, making them healthy.

The advantages of this procedure:

• suitable for thin and sensitive skin;
• trains small vessels and capillaries;
• smoothes and moisturizes the epidermis;
• has a calming effect.

Microcurrent massage has additional contraindications:

• the presence of a pacemaker;
• heart diseases;
• transfer of a heart attack or stroke;
• the presence of metal implants in the problem area.

The essence of massage with microcurrents: the working area is lubricated with a special gel, which allows conducting electrical impulses, and two electrodes are installed - with positive and negative charges. The first remains in place, while the second moves in the direction of the lymphatic flow.

For therapeutic purposes, drugs are additionally applied to the problem area, which, under the influence of microcurrents, penetrate into the deep layers of the epidermis.

The duration of the session takes 10-15 minutes. The number of procedures is determined by a specialist, but there cannot be less than 5.

Pressotherapy

Pressotherapy refers to deep types of lymphatic drainage, in which the effect on the lymph occurs due to the creation of high external pressure on the lower extremities.

Massage is indicated for solving the following problems:

• phlebeurysm;
• swelling of the legs;
• overweight;
• cellulite.

Benefits of pressotherapy:

• safety and painlessness of the procedure;
• gentle effect on the skin;
• minimum of contraindications.

Massage is carried out using a special suit, which is high boots or pants made of dense fabric, into which compressed air is supplied. The intensity of pressure is regulated by a computer program that allows you to select individual indicators, taking into account the characteristics of the disease.

The generated pressure affects the toxins and toxins present in the body. Once in the lymph, they are dispersed through the bloodstream, thereby cleansing the vessels and tissues.

The number of procedures is 10-15. It is recommended to perform them every other day, the duration of the sessions can be up to six months.

Vacuum method

Vacuum lymphatic drainage massage of the legs (at home is also feasible) allows you to tighten the skin, improve their condition in general, and also solves therapeutic problems: it fights the initial stages of varicose veins and cellulite.

Benefits of the procedure:

• quickly relieves puffiness;
• eliminates the first signs of aging of the epidermis;
• allows you to get rid of excess fat;
• stimulates the natural production of collagen;
• fights against the manifestations of cellulite and varicose veins.

Of the shortcomings, experts note the appearance of bruises with an incorrectly selected force of vacuum.

Massage is usually performed on the thighs and buttocks. The skin is first cleaned, then a special massage agent is applied to them, which ensures good sliding. A vacuum is installed, connected to a device that regulates the force of air supply, and slowly move it in the direction of the lymphatic flow.

Please note that vacuum lymphatic drainage is prohibited in case of severe varicose veins or thrombophlebitis.

To achieve a lasting result, you will need at least 10 massage sessions. The procedure can be repeated after 3 months.

Lymphatic drainage massage of the thighs using a vacuum can be performed independently. For this, a silicone can is suitable, which can be purchased at a pharmacy or a specialized medical equipment store.

The essence of the procedure: Warm up the problem area with a hot shower or vigorous rubbing, apply oil or cream, install a silicone can and gently move it from bottom to top. In this case, it is necessary to regulate the strength of the impact: the skin should be slightly pink, and not deep red. The duration of the massage is 10 minutes.

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Lymphatic drainage massage of the legs during pregnancy

While waiting for the child, it is the legs that experience a rather large load, swelling and heaviness appear, and convulsions often occur. Lymphatic drainage massage will help to solve these problems.

It is allowed for expectant mothers from the second trimester to the very birth in the absence of the following contraindications:

• increased blood pressure;
• toxicosis;
• hypertonicity of the uterus / threat of miscarriage;
• severe varicose veins, thrombosis;
• heart disease;
• infectious skin lesions;
• general malaise, increased body temperature.

Before the massage, the skin of the legs must be prepared: slightly warm the extremities with a warm shower or rubbing, apply natural oil - olive, apricot, almond.

Take a comfortable position with your feet at eye level. The massage begins with light stroking of the limbs, then the movements become more intense with a slight pressure on the skin, and the session also ends with light strokes. The legs are massaged from the heels to the kneecap, repeating the cycle from 5 to 10 times, while reaching the knees, the hands are lowered again and all the movements are repeated anew.

Result:

• swelling goes away;
• the body is cleansed;
• blood circulation improves;
• there is no heaviness in the legs (even in late pregnancy).

Please note that if the condition worsens, the appearance of pain in the legs, nausea, it is necessary to stop the procedure.

Lymphatic drainage massage will improve your legs and help prevent the development of their various diseases. It can be performed manually at home or in the salon using the hardware method, the main thing is to follow the technique and not overdo it.

Article design: Mila Friedan

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